Improved caster for sewing-machines



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIGE.

LEVI O. ALLEN, OF VGARD-INEE, MAINE.

IMPROVED CASTER FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 81,454, dated August 25,1868.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatI, LEVI O. ALLEN, of Gardiner, county of Kennebec, Stateof Maine, have invented a new and useful Improved Caster forSewing-Machines, &c. 5 and I do hereby declare that the following is afull and clear description thereof, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of a table for a sewing-machinewith myimproved caster, and Fig. 2 is a side view of the casterinanother position; and Fig. 3 is a detailed view of a part of the same.

This invention consists of a peculiar arrangement of parts, by which thecasters of a sewing-machine table are brought in and out of operation,so as to leave the table resting upon its legs on the floor or uponcasters.

In construction, I form my casters E E upon the ends of adjustable legsA A, these legs being pivoted to the table-frame at B B, so that theirinner ends, having slots O and C, cross each other and form a lapdirectly over the treadle-shaft H. By raising the inner slotted ends ofthe legs A and A, the outer ends, with the casters, are depressed, vandallow the weight of the table to rest on them instead of its stationaryrest. The device for operating these legs A and A with the castersconsists of a treadle-lever, D, connected with the slotted endsof thelegs A and A by means of a link, F, and fulcrumed upon the shaft H. Whenthe lever D is pressed down by the foot, as shown in Fig. l, it elevatesthe inner ends of the legs A A, as before mentioned, and the table is onthe casters. In this case the lever D is hooked under the pin B',pivoting the leg A on this side, it being extended out for the purpose.This keeps the lever D in place, and

prevents the casters from pressing back. When, however, the lever D israised, as shown in Fig. 2, letting the table ldown upon its ownstationary rest, it is hooked over the pin B', as shown in the iigure. v

In order to set the lever D in and out, in hooking it over and under thepin B', it is necessary that it should have some lateral play. This isaccomplished by means of the slotted clutch G, arranged upon the shaftH, and forming an extension for the lever D, which is pinned between itshorns c and c at j'. Where the slotted piece G passes over the shaft H,the latter is flattened, so that when the lever i-s raised or loweredthe shaft H moves with it. This is necessary in order to move both setsof legs and casters at the two sides of the machine by one .treadle,each side having a clutch, G, and the lever D being attached to eitherat f, as may be most convenient.

By this arrangement of parts, I obtain the advantage of operating bothsides at once by means of a single lever, D, and, without any othermotion than can easily be accomplished by the foot, bring the whole setof casters in play at a moments notice.

Now, having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

The arrangement of the pivoted legs A and A with slots c and c, incombination with the link F, slotted clutch G, and lever D,substantially in the manner as herein shown, and for the purposespecified.

LEvi o. JELLEN.

Witnesses:

EDWARD H. HYDE, R. F. HYDE.

